SUGAR LAND, Texas – Body acne can happen to teenagers, adults, men and women. A Sugar Land dermatologist says a clothing trend is increasing your chances of getting it.
Dry fit, heat gear, moisture wicking, all these athletic fabrics that make us feel good during workouts may not make you look so great after.
"Cotton is very forgiving and breathable but all these new fibers can be occlusive and firm to the skin,” Dr. Sherry Ingraham with Advanced Dermatology said.
Fifteen-year-old Emma Watson said during swim practice, acne spots on her body started to look worse than typical teen breakouts.
“I was self-conscious about having acne on my face and my back,” she said.
Ingraham helped her come up with a treatment plan to get rid of it.
“She's washing with a gentle cleanser, she's applying a topical product at night that contains benzoyl peroxide and she's taking an oral anti-inflammatory vitamin,” Ingraham said.
Body acne (bacne) is not limited to young people. In fact, Ingraham said everyone who wears a sports bra is at risk.
"They'll wear them all day, they'll wear them to the gym, come home and keep them on and so the sweat and debris is forced up against the skin and the skin can't breathe," Ingraham said.
Here are the treatments she suggests for people suffering from bacne:
Salicylic acid
Search for the active ingredient salicylic acid, it's less likely to stain clothing like benzoyl peroxide.
Micellar water
Wipe off dirt and makeup before and after a workout. Ingraham recommends Garnier or La Roche-Posay micellar water.
Bioclarity
Use Bioclarity or more natural products if you have sensitive skin.
Prescription antibiotics/ body wash
If the breakouts are out of control, see a board certified dermatologist for a prescription.
Emma uses a combination of vitamins and cleansers and her skin is clear now.